Flow Controlled Powder Dispensing Apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides a powder dispenser apparatus with valve operation. The dispenser apparatus comprises a replaceable container for holding a powdered material, a dispensing assembly, and a powder receptacle to receive the powder and to activate the valve assembly, and a removable cover for the valve assembly. The dispensing assembly comprises a sealing feature and a valve actuator rotationally biased by a spring. User operation rotates the valve actuator against its spring bias, thereby moving the valve and opening the sealing feature, allowing powder to dispense.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dispensing apparatus for dispensing a material, comprising:
 a main frame comprising a first pair of holes and a pair of stop features;   a removable container for holding the material to be dispensed, the container comprising an opening in the lower end;   a receptacle for receiving the material being dispensed, the receptacle comprising a flange;   a funnel for receiving the material being dispensed from the removable container and guiding the material being dispensed to the receptacle, the funnel comprising an open upper end and a channel;   a valve configured to be moved vertically in the funnel, the valve comprising a sealing structure, wherein the sealing feature obstructs the upper opening of the channel of the funnel when the dispensing apparatus is not being operated by a user;   a receptacle holder for holding the receptacle, the receptacle holder comprising a pair of actuating slots to receive the flange of the receptacle, a pair of mount lugs pivotally mount the receptacle holder to the main frame through the first pair of holes of the main frame, and a pair of stop lugs protruding from the receptacle holder;   one or more main frame springs, each spring having one end connected to the receptacle holder and the other end connected to the main frame, the springs tilting the receptacle holder away from the main frame until the stop lugs of the receptacle holder contact the stop features of the main frame; and   a lifting means that moves the sealing feature of valve structure vertically upward, allowing the material being dispensed to flow out of the replaceable container through the channel of the funnel into the powder receptacle, the lifting means comprising
 a lever comprising a load end, a pressure input end, and a pivot, 
 a load coupling means that mechanically couples the load end of the lever to the valve to lift the sealing feature of the valve structure, and 
 a pressure coupling means that mechanically couples the pressure input end of the lever to the receptacle holder, so that when the receptacle is pushed into the receptacle holder with the flange of the receptacle received into the actuating slots of the receptacle holder, the pressure input end of the lever will receive pressure to pivot the lever. 
   
     
     
         2 . The dispensing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressure input end of the lever comprises:
 a pair of lever flanges, each lever flange comprising a flat lever flange member, a mount hole in the flat lever flange member allowing one of the mount lugs of the receptacle loosely fitting into the mount hole, and an activation member protruding from the main flange member; and   a connecting rod rigidly connecting the main flange members to each other.   
     
     
         3 . The dispensing apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the pressure coupling means comprises:
 a pair of control arms, each control arm having a first end, a second end, and a flange between the first end and the second end;   a linking spring connecting the first ends of the pair of control arms; and   a pair of locking pins;   wherein the second ends of the control arms are pivotally attached within the actuating slots with the lock pins; and when the when the receptacle is pushed into the receptacle holder with the flange of the receptacle received into the actuating slots of the receptacle holder, the pair of the control arms are pivoted outward, and the flanges of the control arms extend beyond the actuating slots and engage the activation members of the lever flanges.   
     
     
         4 . The dispensing apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the main frame comprises a second pair of holes, and the load end of the lever comprises a valve actuator, the valve actuator comprising:
 pair of actuator arms, the underside of the actuator arms contacting the activation members of the lever flanges;   an elongated member rigidly connecting the actuator arms; and   a pair of cylindrical ends that fit into the second pair of holes in the main frame, allowing the valve actuator to pivot;   wherein the valve actuator can be pushed to pivot by the contact between the actuator arms and the activation members of the lever flanges when the lever flanges pivot.   
     
     
         5 . The dispensing apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the load coupling means comprises:
 a linking shaft fixed on the valve actuator and can pivot with the valve actuator;   a slot in the channel for guiding the material being dispensed; and   a notch in the valve;   wherein the linking shaft pierces through the slot of the channel into the notch of the valve, so that the linking shaft can push the valve upward when it pivots.   
     
     
         6 . The dispensing apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the valve actuator further comprises a stop feature protruding from the elongated member, the stop feature limiting the pivoting range of the valve actuator by contacting the main frame when the limit of the pivoting range is reached. 
     
     
         7 . The dispensing apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the main frame further comprises a pair of limiting slots, and each lever flange further comprises a protruding stop features, wherein the stop features fit through the limiting slots and the limit slots limit the pivoting range of the lever flanges. 
     
     
         8 . The dispensing apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a removable cover to limit ambient powder material during dispensing.